Nanotechnology in Food

Nanotechnology in Food refers to the use of nanoparticles - particles that range from 1 to 100 nanometers in size - in food. Nanotechnology is already used in a number of consumer products, including foods, supplements, pesticides used to grow food, and food packaging. To date, based on the Woodrow Wilson Center's Project on Emerging Technologies data, it seems that nanotechnology is used most in supplements, then in food packaging and cookware, and used the least frequently in actual food items in the United States. In fact, as of 2010, the only actual nanofood that is sold in the United States listed in their database is the Nanoceuticals™ Slim Shake Chocolate by RBC Life Sciences®, Inc. The product claims to have "nanoclusters" mixed with tiny particles of cocoa that are designed to carry nutrients to the eater's cells.

Uses in Food Packaging
Nanotechnology is already used in:
 * Adhesive for McDonald's burger containers
 * Plastic beer bottles that use clay nanoparticles to make them less likely to break or nano-nylon to keep oxygen out
 * Nanosilver anti-microbial food containers (including some that are sold by the store The Sharper Image)
 * Food packaging that keeps oxygen out
 * Non-stick coating for bakeware

Regulation of Nanotech in Food
Some countries have chosen to regulate or even ban nanotechnology. Another issue is whether to allow nanotechnology in organic food. Canada, for example, does not allow nanotechnology in organic food.

In 2010, the Committee on Environment, Health and Consumer Protection of the European Parliament voted to exclude nanotechnology from the EU list of novel foods allowed on the market. According to Grist, "This committee vote represents one of the first times ever that a legislative body has weighed in on the issue of nanotech particles in food." The European vote was nearly unanimous, with 42 voting in favor, 2 against, and 3 abstaining. The European perspective is not that nanofoods are necessarily unsafe, but that they should be kept off the market until more is known about their safety.

Related SourceWatch articles

 * Nanotechnology
 * Nanosilver

External articles

 * Andrew Schneider, Regulated or Not, Nano-Foods Coming to a Store Near You aol news, March 24, 2010.
 * Ben Lilliston, Nanotech Organic?, Think Forward, October 14, 2010.
 * P.J. Huffstutter, Are nanotech-based pesticides safe? A new report looks at the issues, LA Times, Greenspace Blog, October 5, 2010.
 * Nanotech Pesticides? Safety Issues Arise: Could Be Safer Than Present Products; Caution Needed, KTVZ.com, October 4, 2010.
 * Marion Nestle, The News in Food Nanotechnology, Healthy Child, July 20, 2010.
 * Jaydee Hanson, U.S. should follow Europe and put the brakes on nanotech food and other products, Grist, June 29, 2010.
 * Ben Lilliston, Who's Regulating Nanotechnology?, Think Forward, April 20, 2010.
 * Sarah Parsons, Are Nanofoods Sustainable?, Change.org, May 27, 2010.
 * Nanotech Exposed in Grocery Store Aisles, Friends of the Earth, March 11, 2008.